title: Capsaicin prevents ethanol-induced teratogenicity in cultured mouse whole embryos.
abstract: Prenatal exposure to alcohol promotes the level of reactive oxygen species within embryos and results in developmental disorders. In this study, we investigated the effect of capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), the major pungent ingredient in red peppers, on ethanol-induced teratogenicity in mouse embryos (embryonic days 8.5-10.5). In response to ethanol administration (1.0 microl/ml), developmental parameters such as yolk sac circulation, allantois, heart, hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain, otic and optic systems, branchial bar, olfactory system, forelimb, hindlimb, and somites decreased significantly in comparison with those of control group (p<0.05). However, the concurrent administration of capsaicin (1 x 10(-8) microg/ml or 1 x 10(-7) microg/ml) and ethanol significantly ameliorated most of the morphological scores excepting yolk sac circulation and hindlimb scores (p<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of superoxide dismutase activity and cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase mRNAs in the ethanol-treated embryos recovered to the levels observed in control embryos by capsaicin co-administration. These results indicate that capsaicin has a protective effect against ethanol-induced teratogenicity via an antioxidative activity.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Ra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yon
authors.forename: Se-Ra
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: In-Jeoung
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Beom Jun
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Sang-Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nam
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000431:Ethanol; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D002211:Capsaicin